A seaplane that crashed near Sydney and killed six people had been rebuilt after it was “destroyed” in a fatal incident more than 20 years ago.

Wreckage of the De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver was lifted out of the Hawkesbury River in Sydney by a crane barge on Thursday, five days after the New Year’s Eve tragedy.

Compass Group chief executive Richard Cousins PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo

Richard Cousins, the 58-year-old British chief executive of FTSE 100 company Compass Group, died alongside his sons, Will and Edward, aged 25 and 23 respectively, his fiancee, Emma Bowden, 48, and her 11-year-old daughter Heather.

The experienced pilot, Australian Gareth Morgan, 44, was also killed.

The aircraft, which was first registered in 1964, was used as a crop duster in Australia prior to its life as a seaplane.

“It’s a matter of course and routine in any investigation to look at ... the individual aircraft history and any other incidents that may be relevant.”

The aircraft, owned by Sydney Seaplanes, apparently nose-dived into the Hawkesbury River, 25 miles (40km) north of Sydney, at about 3.10pm (4.10am GMT) after setting off from Cottage Point bound for the city’s Rose Bay, close to the harbour, on Sunday.

Detective Superintendent Mark Hutchings, of New South Wales Marine Area Command, said it appeared there had been “quite an impact on hitting the water”.

The ATSB said the single-engine seaplane had “sunk rapidly” after impact, while Mr Nagy said the wings and pontoons had separated from the fuselage “either on impact or some time after”.

Police divers recovered six bodies from the scene on New Year’s Eve and teams returned to the site at 6am local time on Thursday (7pm GMT) to begin the process of lifting the wreckage from the water.

Mr Nagy said the seaplane’s fuselage, its floats and one of the wings had been recovered and recovery teams were in the process of lifting the remaining pieces on to the barge.

Once returned to land, the parts will be transferred to a facility in Canberra where they will be subject to a “thorough investigation”, Mr Nagy said.

A preliminary report will be produced in around 30 days, before a full report in around 12 months’ time.

Tributes to the victims flooded in after their identities emerged on New Year’s Day.

Friends and colleagues said Mr Cousins was a “well-known and respected” businessman who helped transform Compass’s fortunes upon becoming the catering firm’s boss in 2006.

Ms Bowden, a former arts editor at OK! Magazine, was described as the “Grace Kelly” of their office by Lisa Byrne, its ex-editor-in-chief.

Mr Cousins’ son Will was head of press for pro-European Union campaign group Open Britain, and was described by the group’s chairman, Roland Rudd, as an “extraordinary young man” who would be “missed beyond words”.

On Thursday, Mr Cousins’ brothers, Simon and Andrew, released a statement on behalf of the families.

They said: “We are fortunate and thankful for the outpouring of love and support we’ve received from across the world. We are deeply touched by the tributes to Richard, William, Edward, Emma and Heather in the media and throughout the community.

“We have now arrived in Australia and, as the investigation continues, we would like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved for their dedication and commitment, in particular the Sydney Water Police and those members of the public who helped on the day of the accident.

“We are also thankful for the tremendous support received from Compass Group, Richard’s employer, the British Consulate General in Sydney and all those in Australia who have expressed their condolences.

“On behalf of our extended families, we thank you for allowing us to grieve privately during this difficult time and respect our decision to not participate in any media interviews.”